Aging & Sleep
topic
Sleep changes significantly with aging — with slow-wave sleep declining by approximately 50% between ages 25 and 65, circadian timing advancing (producing earlier bedtimes and wake times), sleep fragmentation increasing, REM sleep remaining relatively preserved, and the prevalence of sleep disorders (apnea, RLS, insomnia, REM behavior disorder) increasing substantially. These changes are partially intrinsic to aging biology (SCN neuronal loss, reduced adenosine sensitivity) and partially secondary to health conditions and medications.
Role
Aging and sleep changes are among the most clinically mismanaged aspects of geriatric care — with the sleep difficulties of older adults frequently dismissed as normal aging without evaluation for treatable underlying conditions (sleep apnea, medications disrupting sleep, pain, depression) and without addressing the significant health consequences of impaired sleep at ages where glymphatic clearance, immune function, and cognitive maintenance depend most critically on sleep quality. The finding that improved sleep in older adults produces significant improvements in cognitive performance, fall risk, mood, and metabolic health makes sleep optimization one of the highest-impact interventions available in geriatric health maintenance.